REIDSVILLE, GA - Goodbye Shuman Produce, hello Shuman Farms! That’s right, the sweet onions grower and shipper behind brands RealSweet® and Produce for Kids® is rebranding to return to its roots and family farm heritage. In addition to the exciting new name, Shuman Farms also announced a whole slew of promotions and team additions, including the naming of a couple of new chiefs.
“This change reflects our company’s core business and a return to our roots as a generational family farm. In addition to our own production, our RealSweet brand is supported by a family of farms in Vidalia and Peru, supporting our 12-month sweet onion program,” said CEO John Shuman. “We are thrilled to bring our brands together to support our foundation of producing quality sweet onions and giving back to the communities where our products are sold.”
For more than 30 years, the Shuman family has worked to make its name synonymous with sweet and Vidalia® onions. In the early 1990s, Shuman restarted the family farm and rebuilt it to what it is today: a vertically-integrated organization that brings quality products from seed to shelf to retailers across the U.S. and Canada, according to a press release. In 2002, Shuman added Produce for Kids® to the company’s host of brands, founding the cause-marketing organization dedicated to creating a healthier generation and raising more than $6.7 million for families and children in need.
To bolster its latest rebrand, Shuman Farms welcomed Frank Fox to the position of Chief Financial Officer; Adam Brady to Director of Marketing; and Jennifer Gooch as Sales Manager. The grower also promoted Brandon Parker to Director of Sales; Trish James to Chief Marketing Officer; Johnny White to Senior Sales Manager; and Erin Waters to Sales Manager. Amanda Keefer has also been named Managing Director of Produce for Kids.
“The recent promotions and appointments are integral in the success of our growth and rebranding,” said Shuman. “These strategic placements will position us for success in 2019 and beyond.”
Franklin Fox has more than 25 years of accounting and finance experience, after serving as CFO at Palmetto Propane Fuels & Ice Inc. US Fibers and McEntire Produce Inc. He has also served as Controller at Walter Pr. Rawl & Sons Inc. As Shuman Farms’ new Chief Financial Officer, he will oversee the company’s financials.
Shuman Farms’ new Director of Marketing, Adam Brady, (re)joins the team with more than eight years of produce industry experience, including stints with Golden Sun Marketing as the Senior Marketing Manager and Shuman Farms as the Marketing Manager.
Jennifer Gooch also brings eight years of produce experience to her new role as Sales Manager. Prior to joining Shuman Farms’ team, she served in in various roles at Mizuno USA, Inc., including product development and distribution.
Brandon Parker has been a part of the Shuman Farms team for 10 years and counting. In his new role as Director of Sales, he will oversee sales operations.
As part of her new role as Chief Marketing Officer, Trish James will continue to oversee operations at Produce for Kids, while Amanda Keefer, previously Produce for Kids’ Director of Marketing Communications, will step into the Managing Director role.
If you’re en route to SEPC’s Southern Exposure, be sure to visit Shuman Farms at booth #1101 to meet the team and learn more about Shuman Farms’ plans for the upcoming Vidalia season. In addition, all are welcomed to join the Produce for Kids’ reception on Friday, March 8 at 5 pm to learn more about the program. For more information visit ShumanFarmsGa.com.
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